The political tension in Kawempe North has finally eased after the Electoral Commission officially gazetted Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola as the area’s new Member of Parliament. The long-awaited announcement, published in the Uganda Gazette on March 24, 2025, confirms Nalukoola’s victory in the recent by-election and paves the way for his swearing-in.

This development comes after 11 days of uncertainty that had threatened to boil over, with the National Unity Platform (NUP) legislator-elect at one point threatening to storm the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) offices to demand answers for the delay. The gazette publication now formally recognizes Nalukoola’s decisive win, where he secured 17,939 votes against his closest competitor, Faridah Nambi of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who received 9,058 votes.

The official results show a slight adjustment from initial tallies, with Nambi’s final count revised upward from the originally announced 8,593 votes. This revision came after the Electoral Commission’s thorough verification process, which Nalukoola’s camp had urged to ensure transparency.

The road to this moment has been anything but smooth. In the days following his victory, Nalukoola grew increasingly frustrated with the bureaucratic delays preventing his formal recognition. His concerns reached a peak when he publicly threatened to personally confront UPPC officials if the gazetting process dragged on further.

“I gave them until Monday to publish my name,” Nalukoola had declared last week. “This delay was unacceptable and raised unnecessary suspicions about the process.”

The newly gazetted MP had also raised alarm about military interference during the election period, accusing Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers of intimidating his supporters and attempting to coerce his agents into signing false affidavits. These allegations added fuel to an already heated political atmosphere in the Kampala suburb.

Electoral Commission Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama has now put all doubts to rest by concluding the electoral process with the official publication. The gazette notice serves as the final step before Nalukoola can take his oath of office and begin representing Kawempe North in Parliament.

For NUP supporters, this marks a significant victory in their ongoing political struggle. The party has faced numerous challenges since the 2021 elections, making Nalukoola’s successful entry into Parliament an important morale booster.

Political analysts suggest the delay in gazetting may have been due to standard verification procedures rather than political interference. “The Electoral Commission has to ensure every detail is correct before publication,” explains Kampala-based political commentator Sarah Bireete. “While the wait caused anxiety, the process appears to have followed normal protocols.”

As the dust settles, attention now turns to Nalukoola’s impending swearing-in ceremony and his plans for Kawempe North. The area faces numerous challenges, including poor infrastructure, unemployment, and limited social services – issues that featured prominently in his campaign.

“I’m ready to get to work immediately,” Nalukoola told reporters after learning of his gazetting. “The people of Kawempe North have waited too long for proper representation, and I won’t let them down.”

The development also closes a chapter on what had become a test case for Uganda’s electoral processes. With this hurdle cleared, both supporters and critics will be watching closely to see how the fiery new MP transitions from campaign mode to legislative duties.

For now, Kawempe North residents can finally celebrate knowing their elected representative will soon take his rightful place in Parliament, ending weeks of uncertainty and marking a new beginning for the constituency’s political journey.